a community creating for the relentless return of Sunday
Holy God:
with the precious jewel
of holy scripture,
you share with us
the treasure of your heart.
Engrave your covenant –
your hopes, your dreams,
your vision, your peace –
upon our hearts,
that they might beat
as one with yours.
Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.
1 – Most gracious God, you sent forth your faithful and true witness out into the world who beckoned us to follow and believe. And now we are bold to pray as Christ’s body out into the world. We thank you for every service that proclaims your love,
2 – When we see the work of mission beginning inside the walls of this church,
3 – When we serve with people committed to making a difference in this community and beyond, 1 – When we grow, and love and serve and pray, we stand out and faith and remember…
All – We are the body of Christ.
2 – When we witness the work of those gifted with talents of teaching and healing
3 – When we gratefully rally for people in power who are committed to your love and service
1 – When we can translate and interpret scripture for the sake of those longing to hear the good news 2 – When we use the gifts you have granted us with grateful hearts, we remember…
All – We are the body of Christ.
3 – Mighty God, as your body commissioned to serve out in the world, we also ache for the people you love who are suffering.
1 – When violence and unrest rips through nations,
2 – When children are fitted for war and starving on street sides,
3 – When abuse and neglect cause chaos in your good creation.
1 – When we are bombarded with news of lives lost, corrupt systems, and feelings of hopelessness, we remember our cause to cry out with the people suffering because we know….
All – We are the body of Christ.
2 – When racism and classism continues to influence our decisions,
3 – When the dull ache of loss continues long after loved ones have passed,
1 – When sickness wears at the best of our energies to fight
2 – When we are overwhelmed by the pain that seeps into your creation, we cling to one another as we boldly demand your kindom come. We pray in the confidence that you hear our prayers because…
All – We are the body of Christ.
3 – So as your people, fashioned for your good work in the world, we pray boldly that your Holy Spirit move through us
1 – As we work peacefully for justice
2 – As we worship and pray and praise
3 – As we beckon for your ear and lift up our prayers to you in the name of Christ, for… All – We are the body of Christ.
1 – And we are bold to pray as he taught us:
Our Father, who art in Heaven…
Submitted by Rev. Lindsay Conrad, First Presbyterian Church, Ann Arbor, MI.
Call to Reconciliation
Despite our foolish and angry words, God continues to speak of mercy to us.
Despite our best efforts to be faithless in our living, God remains faithful
in keeping the promise to forgive us and restore us to wholeness. Let us
confess our sins to God, so that God’s hope and grace might endure in our
brokenness.
Unison Prayer of Confession
God beyond borders, we know that on our way to worship, we may not have
noticed the exiles in our neighborhoods. We admit how easy it is for us to
wander down the streets of temptation, pausing at the corner of easy
choices. We fall silent in the presence of those who speak words of anger
and hate. We tolerate a culture that suspects all who are different from us.
Have mercy on us, O God, for surely you take the side of justice. Open
our hearts to all the wonders you are performing in our lives. You gift us
with those of other cultures, that our lives might be blessed. You send us
friends out of places we least expect, that our community might be enriched.
You call us to be generous with our blessings, so others might be graces
with the gift of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
L: God challenges us, God encourages us. God confronts us, and God accepts
us. God works wonders in our midst and gives us the eyes, the hearts, the
souls to see such miracles.
P: God forgives us, God guides us through the wilderness of the world, God
leads us home. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.
Submitted by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community Presbyterian Church & Corona United Presbyterian Church, New Mexico
Call to Reconciliation
Seeking to follow Jesus, we often wander down the wrong roads. Impatient
with God’s schedule, we rush off to do things our way. Let us confess our
foolishness, that we might receive God’s hope for our lives.
Unison Prayer of Confession
Your words are given to us, Author of Life, so we might be reformed,
but we are intent on changing others. Your words are offered to us so we
might be transformed, but we are focused on conforming to our culture. Your
words are spoken to lead us into new life, but we hold our old ways tight to
our chests.
Forgive us, God of Wonder. Do not remember our sins, but continue to
touch us with your steadfast mercy. Show us how to be persistent in living
out our faith, even as you were so tenacious in offering us your grace and
life in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Silence is kept
Assurance of Pardon
L: Jesus reminds us that we are to be resolute in our lives of faithfulness
and service. The good news is that God is steadfast in filling us with love
and grace.
P: We are forgiven people. May we live as sisters and brothers in Christ,
God’s children in word and deed, in hope and joy. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Thom Shuman, Lectionary Liturgies.
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